Vilas County Arrest Records

When an individual is arrested in Vilas County, Wisconsin, law enforcement officers book them by recording essential details such as their name, address, physical description, fingerprints, and photograph.

Such records are sometimes used to prosecute offenders in Vilas County. Consequently, the details about an individual's arrest often appear in other public records. For example, when an arrestee is charged in court, their arrest information may be found in Vilas County court records. If they are eventually convicted, they would also have records in inmate records kept by correctional facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Vilas County?

Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, the public in Vilas County is permitted unfettered access to arrest records. The law mandates publicly funded agencies, including police departments, sheriff's offices, and other state organizations, to grant the public access to information they created and received while carrying out their duties.

However, state and federal laws restrict access to specific arrest records in Vilas County. For instance, the following documents are exempt from public access:

• Juvenile records are only available to the subject of the record, their attorneys, and law enforcement.
• Arrest records removed from the Department of Justice database.
• Sensitive details in arrest records, such as victim identities or informant names, are redacted for privacy.
• Access to sealed records is restricted to individuals with a court order.

Vilas County Sheriff's Office
330 Court Street,
Eagle River, WI 54521,
Phone: (715) 479-4441

Vilas County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2019 report from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), the crime rate in Vilas County was 483 per 100,000 residents. The average daily population of the County jail was 70 inmates. Also, that year, there were four incidents of aggravated assaults, no reported incidents of sexual assaults, and 101 cases of property crimes. That year, the property crime rate was 464 per 100,000 residents.

Find Vilas County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking Vilas County arrest records may use federal, state, and county resources to access such records. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator is useful for getting information about individuals arrested in Vilas County but held in federal custody. It allows record seekers to access basic details about the subject. This includes the inmate's register number, location, and release date. Record seekers may search using a name or ID numbers such as the BOP register number.

For individuals arrested in Vilas County but placed in state custody, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Search may be used to find information. Requesters may search by name, date of birth, or DOC number. The system offers details including the inmate's location and links to related court records. The Vilas County Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and provides a portal for the public to access arrest and inmate information.

Vilas County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Vilas County arrest records and criminal records are different in many ways. Arrest records only document the events and facts surrounding apprehensions made by law enforcement. They often include arrests where prosecutors decided not to press charges, let alone pursue convictions. Therefore, they do not amount to proof that the arrestee actually broke the law or a determination of guilt.

In contrast, criminal records provide a detailed account of an individual's criminal history. They include convictions, sentences, and court outcomes. Unlike arrest records, they show confirmed legal decisions and offer a more complete view of an individual's involvement with the justice system. These records may have significant consequences for the subject in terms of jobs, housing, and other aspects of life.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Vilas County, Wisconsin, arrest records typically remain for life. However, the records may be expunged if the individual is eligible for such relief. An individual may have their records expunged if:

• They were released without any charges, or they were acquitted
• The individual completed a first-offender program that led to dismissal or no prosecution
• The arrest occurred as a juvenile, and there is documented proof of dismissal with no prosecution

In these situations, the arrest record may qualify for expungement.

Vilas County Arrest Warrants

A Vilas County arrest warrant is a written legal order directing law enforcement to arrest an individual. A judge issues the warrant after reviewing a complaint that shows reasonable cause to believe the individual committed a crime. A judge may also issue a warrant from the bench if an individual fails to appear in court, disobeys a court injunction, or violates the terms of parole or a diversion program.

In Vilas County, arrest warrants must meet the following legal requirements:

• The warrant must be in writing and signed by the issuing judge
• It must state the alleged crime and cite the Wisconsin statute that was violated
• The warrant must include the name of the individual to be arrested or provide a clear description that helps law enforcement identify the individual.
• A copy of the complaint that led to the warrant must be attached
• The warrant must command law enforcement to arrest the individual and bring them before the issuing judge or a judge with proper jurisdiction

Do Vilas County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Generally, arrest warrants in Vilas County do not expire. However, most crimes are subject to statutes of limitations. Therefore, prosecutors must pursue the case before the expiration of the statute of limitations. Once the time has elapsed, the warrant may no longer be valid.

Expunge Vilas County Arrest Records

In Vilas County, Wisconsin, individuals may petition the court to expunge certain convictions or juvenile adjudications. Expungement for a sentence is handled at sentencing. The judge would determine if the individual is eligible for expungement and if such relief is in the interest of fairness and equity.

If the court approves the expungement at sentencing and the individual completes the terms of their sentence, the expungement is automatic. The correctional institution or probation agent would send a discharge certificate to the court, which the clerk files. Otherwise, if the judge denies the expungement at sentencing, the individual may petition the court for reconsideration.

For convictions before July 1, 2009, the offense must be a misdemeanor or a first-time nonviolent felony with a maximum sentence of six years. Also, the individual must have been under 21 years old at the time of conviction.

If the conviction occurred after July 1, 2009, the offense must be a misdemeanor or non-violent felony. Also, the offender must be under 25 at the time of sentencing and must have completed the terms of their sentence.